Police data collection (Lewiston Police Department)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. the total number of use of force incidents reported from 2017-2022, separated by year.

2. the total number of use of force incidents, separated by type of force and year, from 2017-2022 (for example, information that specifies the number of taser incidents in 2022, baton incidents in 2022, taser incidents in 2021, baton incidents in 2021, etc.)

3. the total number of civilian complaints against law enforcement that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.

4. the total number of civilian complaints alleging law enforcement use of excessive force that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.

5. the total number of civilian complaints alleging biased policing or racial profiling that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.

6. the total number of civilian complaints alleging criminal conduct that were reported and the total number sustained from 2017-2022, separated by year.

7. the total number of officer-involved shootings from 2017-2022, both fatal and non-fatal, separated by year.

8. the total number of people who police used force against in 2022, broken down by race/ethnicity.

When available, I would appreciate being sent individualized data in this request in spreadsheet format. If individualized data are unavailable, please send information that includes aggregate statistics for the item instead.

Note that my requests for civilian complaints are specifically for civilian complaints, please do not include complaints filed by one officer/the department against another officer.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, and is not made for commercial usage.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Samuel Sinyangwe